Foot Health Awareness Month
Pickleball’s popularity continues to soar—more than 36 million Americans are playing. As the number of players continues to increase, so do pickleball-related injuries. Some estimates put the cost of pickleball injuries at $500 million annually. Common foot and ankle injuries include sprains, strains, and fractures; plantar fasciitis (pain in the heel); Achilles tendinitis; as well as nail problems and blisters. So, what can you do to prevent a debilitating injury while enjoying your favorite racquet sport? APMA wants you to Play it Safe during Foot Health Awareness Month and all year round.
Advice for pickleballers from podiatrists:
- Don’t neglect your warm-up and stretches! Get your muscles warm, then stretch before and after pickleball. Focus on hips, hamstrings, and the Achilles tendons.
- Choose the right footwear. Wear court shoes (either tennis shoes or shoes specifically
designed for pickleball) that improve ankle stability and prevent lateral ankle injuries, along with moisture-wicking socks. Be sure your shoes fit well, and replace them every six to 12 months, depending on your level of activity. - Stay fit. Keep up a regular exercise routine that combines cardiovascular exercise and resistance training, in addition to pickleball. Talk to your physician about your Vitamin D levels to ensure your bones stay healthy and strong.
- Visit your podiatrist. If you do sustain a pickleball injury to the feet or ankles, visit an APMA-member podiatrist. Your podiatrist is a specialist in the foot and ankle and the best-trained physician to treat these injuries. They can treat the problem and offer suggestions for how to avoid future injuries. Many podiatry offices reserve appointments for emergencies, so check in with your podiatrist first rather than spending hours in the Emergency Department. Visit www.apma.org/findapodiatrist to find a member near you.
Look to the APMA Seal of Acceptance for hundreds of shoes that have been evaluated by podiatric physicians and shown to promote proper foot health. The Seal of Acceptance is your sign that a shoe, insert, or socks are of the highest quality and will be beneficial for your feet.
Learn more below!
More Information
An Overview
What is a podiatrist?
Becoming a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Learn more about the exciting careers available in podiatric medicine and step into podiatry.
Read
Follow
These member physicians share their expertise on social media! Follow them for footwear suggestions and other advice to help keep your feet and ankles healthy!
- Nicholas Butler, DPM, and Jacqueline Donovan, DPM (Erie Foot & Ankle Center, Beachwood, OH)
- Priya Parthasarathy, DPM (Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, Silver Spring, MD)
- Savannah Santiago, DPM (Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis)
- Saylee Tulpule, DPM (Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, Washington, DC)
- Ebonie Vincent, DPM (Orange County Podiatry, Orange, CA, and "My Feet Are Killing Me" on TLC)
Follow APMA on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X to learn more about topics related to foot health year-round.
For APMA Members
Follow APMA on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X for content you can share with your patients during Foot Health Awareness Month and all year!